Liquefier



Sept. 26, 1'933. E K 1,928,396

' LIQUEFIER Filed March 4, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor Frank 6. Seek Sept. 26 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Invcnar Patented sept. 26, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- momma Frank 0. Seek, Oklahoma City, Okla. Application March 4, 1932. serial No. 596,889 3 (01. 220-24) This invention relates to an improved container and special closure useable as a liquefier for carbon dioxide ice.

It has been discovered that carbon dioxide ice,

generally referred to in the trade as dry ice, may be convenientlymanufactured in block form and placed in an appropriate tank to generate carbonic acid gas for use by soda fountains and similar establishments in compounding carbonated beverages.

In order to permit this result to be successfully attained, I have further discovered the necessity of using an internal self-sealing pressure held closure for the tank or container for the carbon dioxide ice.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a suitable cylindrical tank to serve as a containerfor said carbon dioxide ice, wherein said tank is equipped with a convenient and satisfactory type of closure to withstand the pressure of the gas generated within said tank.

'Stated more specifically, I have evolved and produced a special gas tight pressure sealed closure for a liquefier designed for generating carbonic acid gases wherein the preferred embodiment thereof is characterized by an annulus having a special groove in its bottom to accommodate a hinged lid fitting telescopically thereinto to effect a' liquid-tight joint between the lid and ring, togetherwith a lifting and lowering chain and a retaining bar therefor which is manually regulated and affords the proper mechanical means for initially lifting the lid to closing position and holding it in said closed position until sumcient pressure is built "up internally to provide the requisite self-sealing action.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is pictorially illustrated in the accompanying drawings and a consideration of the separate views thereof collectively, will enable the reader to obtain a clear understanding of the construction and operation;

In the drawings:-

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of a structure developed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal line 22 of Fig. 1.

' Fig.3isaplanview.

Fig. 4 is a'horizontal sectional view taken on the plane of the line 4-4 of Fig. .2.

The cylindrical body of the tank is distinguished by the numeral 1 as shown in the drawings and this is permanently closed at one end (not shown) and provided with a special closure sectional: view on the at the opposite end. The closure comprises a heavy annulus or ring 2 which is securely fastened to the adjacent end of the cylinder shell, and the inner marginal or peripheral portion of this ring is provided on its under side with a cover seating 6 groove whose upper wall is inclined inwardly and downwardly to form an abutment flange 3. The

lid or cover 4 is in the nature of a heavy disk-like plate whose marginal portion is grooved to provide a lip shaped and inclined to intermittently contactthe flange 3. Theseating face of the lip is provided with a suitable packing ring 5. This arrangement allows the central top or crown portion 6 of the lid to project telescopically into the annular central opening of the ring or annulus 2. Also, it will be observed that the diameter of the body portion of the lid is such as to permit it to telescope snugly intothe \lid receiving groove formed in said annulus. In other words, there is a double action produced here in 5 that the lid or cover 4 fits into the groove in the annulus or ring 3, while the central or crown portion thereof rises or projects up into the central aperture in the annulus. In addition, the interlocking action of the bevelled flanges is unique and dependable.

The ring 2 is provided with an arcuate metal strip 7 secured diametrically at opposite points to the top of the ring and provided with a central r aperture 8 through which the lifting chain 9 is extended to facilitate initial closing of the lid after the tank has been charged with carbon dioxide ice. On one side of the same, the lid is provided with integral L-shaped hinge member 10 terminating in an eye 11 hingedly connected to a stationary eye 12 on the interior of the cylinder or tank.

The idea of using an outwardly swingable closing lid suitable packed for cooperation with the r annulus 2, is believed to be practicable in insuring positive and leak-proof action of the closure. In fact, it makes .the closure especially suitable for the excessive gas pressure which is generated in the tank as the carbon dioxide mass or ice liquefies.

- In practice, any suitable valved means is proyided for conducting the carbonic gas to the fountain structure.

This liquefier is adapted to take the placed the cumbersome heavy carbonated gas drum ordinarily used for soda fountain operation. It is evident that when the improved cylindrical container is charged withxdry ice it is initially under no .pressure whatsoever. It is self-evident however, that the natural atmospheric conditions raise the internal pressure to about one thousand or twelve hundred pounds which is sufficient and practical to permit carbon dioxide ice to be satisfactorily used for the purpose before stated. I

, The principal feature of the invention howvention and the above description.

It is to be understood that by describing in detail herein any particular form, structure, or arrangement, it is not intended to limit the invention beyond the terms of the several claims, or the requirements of the prior art.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:-

1. In a structure of the class described, a cylindrical container for carbon dioxide ice, a relatively heavy ring rigidly secured to one end of the container, the inner peripheral portion of said ring being grooved and the outer wall of the groove being inclined inwardly to provide an abutment flange, a disk-like lid having its outer face formed with a marginal groove providing an inclined packing faced lip to engage the flange, and a hinge connection'between one side of the lid and the adjacent portion of the container.

2. A liquefier of the class described comprising a cylindrical container for carbon-dioxide ice, said container being closed at its bottom and open at its top, a relatively thick ring rigidly secured to the upper open end of the container,

the central opening in said ring being of a predetermined diameter, the bottom or inner face of said ring being grooved to form a lid adapter seat of a diameter greater than said central open-' ing, a disc-like lid of a diameter to fit snugly and telescopically in said seat, the upper marginal edge portion of said lid being formed with agroove of a depth to permit the central crown portion of the disc to project up and into the central opening in said ring, the upper wall of the groove in said ring being inclined inwardly and downwardly, and the bottom wall of the groove in said lid being inclined to intimately match said first-named inclined wall to provide an interlocking leak-proof joint, and an internal hinge connection between the lid and adjacent upper portion of said container.

3. A liquefier of the class described comprising a cylindrical container for carbon dioxide ice, said container being closed at its bottom and open at its top, a comparatively heavy annulus or ring rigidly secured to the upper open end of the container, the inner face of said ring being grooved to form a lid adaptation seat, a disc-like lid of a diameter to fit snugly and telescopically in said seat, co-acting portions of the seat and marginal portion of the lid being constructed to provide an interlocking joint, a chain secured centrally to the lid, an apertured bar secured to the ring, the chain passing up through the aperture for chain retention purposes, said chain and bar constituting a manually adjusted mechanical means for holding the lid initially in closed position to prevent escape of gas while the gas builds up to suificient pressure to thereafter maintain the lid in gas-tight closed position.

FRANK C. SECK. 

